Vail Mogul Skiers Secure Spots in Olympic Finals
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, American mogul skiers have made headlines by securing places in the finals. The first round of the women’s moguls qualifications took place on February 10, 2026, with three former Ski and Snowboard Club Vail athletes advancing to the next stage.
Key Performances in Women’s Moguls Qualifiers
- Elizabeth Lemley: Scored 80.95, ranking second among competitors. She had the highest turn score.
- Olivia Giaccio: Finished third with a score of 80.74.
- Tess Johnson: Claimed the ninth position with a score of 73.79, automatically advancing to the finals.
Defending champion Jakara Anthony led the field with a score of 81.65. Lemley expressed her excitement, stating it was her best run ever and noted a reduction in nerves compared to the qualification period.
Insights from the Athletes
Johnson, a two-time Olympian, reflected on her performance, saying, “I have a lot more though, so I’m really looking forward to putting that down tomorrow.” She highlighted her confidence stemming from a previous World Cup performance on the same course.
Jaelin Kauf, who won a silver medal in Beijing, faced challenges during her run and finished 27th. She will have another chance in the second qualification round, expressing hope for improvement.
“I just need to focus on putting a solid run together,” Kauf remarked.
Men’s Moguls Qualifiers
The men’s qualification saw Breckenridge’s Dylan Walczyk advance, finishing seventh. He was closely followed by Nick Page in fifth place. Charlie Mickel and Landon Wendler finished 11th and 12th, respectively, and will also compete in the second qualification round.
- Dylan Walczyk: 7th place
- Nick Page: 5th place
- Charlie Mickel: 11th place
- Landon Wendler: 12th place
Looking Ahead to Finals
The individual moguls final will consist of 20 skiers: the top 10 from the first qualification round and another 10 from the second round to be held on February 11. The top 8 from this group will advance to the super final. The women’s qualification 2 is set for 3 a.m. MST, with finals beginning at 6:15 a.m.
This year also marks the debut of dual moguls at the Olympics, scheduled for February 14, adding to the excitement of the event.
Conclusion
The 2026 Winter Olympics mogul skiing events promise to deliver thrilling competition, with American athletes poised for success. Fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming races and the performances of their favorite skiers, particularly as they vie for Olympic glory.
